Dark Rose (2003)
by Czech & Speake

Dark Rose was originally released in 2003 with notes of saffron, agarwood, rose, sandalwood and white amber and then discontinued (date unknown). In 2009, following the oud-hysteria, Czech & Speake re-launched it in an edc spray.

Dark Rose is fantastic but, if smelled today for the first time, it is definitely not original. It seats somewhere between Montale's Black Aoud, Malle's Portrait of A Lady and Amouage Homage but it lacks the Montale's obscure power, the Malle's sophisticated elegance and refinements and the humongous opulence of the Amouage. That being said, if you're looking for a dark/gothic oud/rose concoction but you feel like not daring too much, this is a terrific option.

Me? When it comes to dark fragrances I don't like to compromise.

Thanks Knit At Nite for making things clearer...

6th January, 2012. (Last Edited: 30th January, 2012.)

I don't think to be able to add anything new and substantially different to the other reviews. Because of its oud-rose-saffron-wood accord Dark Rose is in my opinion a Black Aoud's younger sister, less dense and heavy in medicinal vibe, more dreamy and ethereal in rosey temperament, less aromatic-green-spicy in the note of saffron and with a more appealing,but far less bold,  "boozy-creamy" character from berries and light fruits. Some hidden flowers whirl around in the general subtlety and the rose is less dark and more regal, fresh, delicate and soapy than in the Montale one. The dry down is woody with a starring note of sandalwood. I feel more the woody, soapy and  liquorous sensation in here than the aromatic, dark and woodsy Black Aoud's hypnotic and exotic temperament. Obviously this one is a more wearable scent with a less strong, though equally durable, initial obscure and  surly temperament. Even the exotic trail (expecially from the saffron) is  here less pronounced than in the ideal older brother. This is a delicate classy fragrance with an assertive temperament. I don't see the dark side of this smell or better, Dark Rose exudes a mysterious and silent feel, a touch of loneliness as a walk in a graveyard during a fall afternoon. I agree with Off-Scenter when writes that after the other-worldly spirituality of the oud-rose combo in Homage and after the bolder oud-rose combinations in the more daring Montale beasts this one could be perceived by many as possibly superfluous; it's plain anyway that the wish to wear a lighter, more demure, gentle and less heavy combination of the two main notes is a good reason to give a real sense at this fragrance. Silent and nostalgia in a bottle.

8th December, 2011.

A tamed down version of Montale’s Black Aoud. This one opens up with oud and roses. The saffron is definitely detectable in the background, while the oud is also light but ever present. As it progresses the dark rose becomes the predominant scent and there may be hints of sandalwood, though hard for me to detect. This one is definitely unisex, but for me I like the more overpowering and darker black aoud that does this scent so much better.

13rd September, 2011.

Rose, stronger than aoud here though tempered by it. Conservative like Montale Aoud Damascus but in Dark Rose the rose plays the greater role, sweeter and less powdery.

20th June, 2011. (Last Edited: 22nd August, 2011.)

The notes are saffron, agarwood, rose, sandalwood and white amber - and I list them because this is exactly what this fragrance smelled like to me. One that happens to be very true to it's notes.
It opens with a mentholated, medicinal note over the faintest of red rose - the oud present and accounted for, and the rose just starting to show through. The rose becomes much richer, with a hint of saffron spice as it moves into the heart. I like this rose note, it has personality and doesn't drown in heavy notes. Rich and red it is, and rich and red it stays. Sandalwood starts to make it's way in and the rose takes a back seat - but always there. The final thrust is a musk like taming of the sandalwood and rose.
I really liked this one! Dark? Well maybe. But not too much so. It finds a very equal balance between darkness (interesting) and lightness (wearable) that makes this one stand out.
Very nice, Czech & Speake - a winner from this house.

8th April, 2011.

Dark ,dark middle eastern rose , some oudh which somehow comes across as a bit plastic -like on my skin. Other than a short-lived plastic note, the rose is quite dramatic and amazing. A very good rose fragrance . Simple but thoroughly explores rose ! I still prefer my velvety Fleurs de Bulgarie by Creed.

25th July, 2010.